14 Aug 2019 10:44:45
Ok, so my posts re the backups have seen many replies.

I did say I would stick to our backups and explained in my most recent post why.

The whole excercise was to make a point that even though we did not make any signings other than a couple of youngsters in the window, we still have more than enough players who can do the job filling gaps throughout the season, just like last season.

It was never about LFC being better than City. It was never about which manager was better. It was never about which squad was better.

It was about our backups which we are not short of and that they can do the job yet the whining about our transfer window from some still persists.

So I invite anyone now (I know you are out there) to list our backups and explain why they feel they will not be able to do the job for us this season.

Lets keep the discussions going!

1.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 11:10:42
Honestly I'm not sure anything hasn't been said. You and many others have agreed to disagree in relation to each others thoughts. I am not sure it needs to keep going. It has been a good debate but I feel keeping it going will lead to it becoming personal which is never good to see on the site.

{Ed047's Note - good point well made mate.

2.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 11:55:47
To be honest the original discussion may have been diluted with other topics but my understanding it was about whether our back up was better than city’s. For me, that’s just not the case.

City have more depth, in my opinion, in attacking positions. I know that some may disagree but having the likes of sane, Mahrez, Jesus, Silvas etc. To bring on or at least rest their first 11, gives them advantage over us. We did incredibly well to keep pace with them last season but I think that depth gave them the adv.

Now whether our back ups can do a job is a different question. I do think the likes of Shaq and Origi could “do a job” as impact players.

3.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 11:58:10
I’ll get involved Max.

I think we have an exciting squad and I’m personally comfortable with most of our cover. I look forward to seeing how the likes of Brewster, Larouci and to some extent Origi can do.

I do however feel just one stellar signing would have given us that final push to say can consistently push city on all fronts. For me it would have been a Fekir type player who could be used across the front 3 and play CAM in games we decided that formation was needed.

I’m not someone who is dismayed at us not signing someone and understand for it to happen we needed to sell someone like Lallana to make space but for whatever reason it didn’t materialise.

I totally get the argument of getting players in who are comfortable having a hell of a fight on their hands to get in the team whilst still being good enough to add quality. But that argument will still stand next season, and the season after.

4.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 12:24:14
For me I think if you compare the minutes and appearances of our back up players to City’s it doesn’t come close. Klopp doesn’t seem to fully trust ours and for me that was evident again having Mane on the bench in the first place and then actually being used to come on it what was a comfortable opening game against Norwich. Origi has had a second chance and in fairness to the lad he is doing his best to take it. Would he have been on the pitch though against Barcelona in the first place if Bobby and Mo were fit. If he hadn’t have played that night then he might not even be here now.

5.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 12:54:40
At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter who has the best back ups.

You don’t even need to be the best team to win the league!

Remember Leicester?

It’s down to being consistent over the season and whilst having good or even great players might give you more chance of consistency it’s not guaranteed.

Both Citeh and LFC have their strengths and weaknesses. I prefer the way we are going about things and if we get a bit of luck then we have every chance of silverware as our guys are putting the work in.

The harder you work the luckier you get.

Bayern Munich were surely a stronger outfit when Dortmund best them under Klopp.

We all know that we can do the same with Citeh.

If we can win the EPL or the Champions League this season then it just means we are an elite level club.

As a football club though LFC is on an entirely different level to Citeh. We are a global family at LFC that simply has breathtaking support and loyalty in all corners of the globe.

6.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 13:54:19
Max I really admire your loyalty to Liverpool players. But I think in one post you tried to argue Lallana was a better option for us than Foden is for Man City. That's 32 year old Lallana with less starts in the last 2 season's than 18 year old Foden has goals.

I would much prefer having Hoever and Larouci in our squad than spending £110m on Cancelo and Mendy to be back ups, because I think it is more sustainable long term but I wouldn't even kid myself by trying to argue that our back up teenagers are better than their back up internationals. I think our lads will moan less and appreciate whatever game time they get which is better for squad harmony. But that's a different argument to who is the best back up.

I didn't reply before because I simply couldn't comprehend the logic. Our starting 11 is better. City's squad is better. I don't think it's complicated to be honest. Really enjoyed the debate up to now but PickleRick is right; even if he is a Rat-pickle with an alcoholic grandads brain.

7.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 16:29:01
Spot on, PB and Tommy. The comparison is not worth the effort cos City have the best quad and backups, end of. This is cos their backups now, were bought as starters years ago and have been upgraded upo since. Cancelo and Walker are worth 110m alone. Ederson and Bravo were signed for 70m combined. Bernardo Silva and Mahrez were for 120m combined. Bro, I can go on and on with this stuff.

What matters is that our team is a well oiled-machine that can handle and go toe to toe with City consistently and effectively. All this nonsensical talk like "Had we signed a versatile player X or Y then things would be diff. this season". That is pure hogwash. Signing Pepe alone for ex., would not bridge the big gap in squad quality, I just described above. For that to happen, we have to do what City have been doing for years and clearly, we are late to that party.

As PB and Tommy said, Leicester won the PL with City having the best squad at the time. When BVB won bac to back titles in Germany, Bayern had the best squad at the time. When Wolfsburg won the title with Felix Magath as manager, Bayern had the best squad at the time as well. I can go on and on. For me, it is time to stop this stuff of always judging our team in this regard, based on what City does. It will only cause headaches cos as I have said before, we cannot spend what they spend and how they spend it, as I have described above.

8.) 14 Aug 2019
14 Aug 2019 20:01:39
City has a better squad, we have a better manager.

9.) 15 Aug 2019
15 Aug 2019 00:44:10
Nailed it, Mikey1985.

10.) 16 Aug 2019
15 Aug 2019 10:57:02
I think you’re right Max to a point. Overall I think our back ups are very good.
What we don’t have but City do is the luxury of playing Jesus, who is a very good striker and then bringing a worldy like Aguero off the bench.
We play our front 3 when available every game because the drop in quality to the bench is massive.

City have quality replacements in every front position, Sterling or Sane, Jesus or Aguero, Mahrez or Silva. Beyond that I think you’re right I’d take our midfield and defensive back ups all day long.
It will be interesting now Sane is out for the season he scored some big goals for them last season although I know Pep isn’t his biggest fan. I think they’ll really miss him coming off the bench in tight games with his energy and pace.

11.) 16 Aug 2019
15 Aug 2019 11:35:36
Youre flogging a dead horse, Max. Its obviously a divided issue so just agree to disagree.

12.) 16 Aug 2019
15 Aug 2019 11:58:38
As long as we’re better than the sum of our parts, then we have a chance.